The beautiful and proud Elise D'Auvergne, recently widowed when her abusive husband was killed by a band of fearsome soldiers, is about to lose her beloved castle. Never one to back down from a fight, Elise vows to do whatever it takes to ensure the safety of her land and home. William MacDarrin may be a sinfully handsome warrior, but as the bastard son of a Scottish nobleman, he has no claim to an inheritance. In a daring plan to ensure her safety, Elise poisons William's wine and captures him. But it's not his death that she desires, or ransom. Elise wants William's protection and proposes a bargain-land and gold in exchange for marriage. Having no interest in love and seeking revenge, William eagerly agrees to Elise's terms and takes her as his bride. When the stoic chieftain holds the bonnie mistress of Castle D'Auverne in his arms for the first time, he finds he may have received more than he bargained for. As she melts his well-guarded heart, he surrenders to her, swearing an oath of his own-to make her love him-even If It Takes Forever.